“It may be a difficult challenge for some producers, but it’s become clear that eyestalk ablation should no longer be considered among the best practices for shrimp aquaculture," said Global Seafood Alliance CEO Mike Kocsis.
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The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has announced that all shrimp production facilities certified under its Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) programme will be required to phase out eyestalk ablation by the end of 2030.
The ban will also apply to sourcing postlarvae from hatcheries that continue the practice, the organisation said.
Eyestalk ablation, which involves pinching, cauterising or removing the eyestalk of female broodstock shrimp to induce spawning, has been a common shrimp hatchery technique for nearly 40 years. However, the GSA says that while the method has long been standard practice, new knowledge about aquatic animal welfare and alternative breeding techniques has prompted the organisation to update its standards.
The group said it has spent several years funding research and collaborating with academic, NGO and industry partners to explore alternatives. A recent survey of shrimp producers in major farming regions was used to assess readiness for change and to identify barriers to moving away from ablation.
Transition within five years
Mike Kocsis, CEO of GSA, said: “The years of rigorous due diligence conducted by the GSA team and by our valued external shareholders gives us confidence that BAP-certified shrimp facilities will be able to successfully make the transition to non-ablated shrimp production within five years. It may be a difficult challenge for some producers, but it’s become clear that eyestalk ablation should no longer be considered among the best practices for shrimp aquaculture.”
The GSA said that animal health and welfare is one of the four pillars underpinning BAP standards, alongside environmental responsibility, food safety and social accountability. Kocsis added that the standards are intended to strengthen over time as scientific knowledge advances, and said GSA would support farmers through the transition.
Some retailers and consumer groups have previously called for an end to eyestalk ablation, and GSA says the new requirement aims to ensure the certification programme is in line with industry and societal expectations.
Currently, nearly 1,900 shrimp farms and 150 hatcheries worldwide are BAP-certified, producing close to 800,000 metric tonnes of shrimp annually. Across all seafood products, there are more than 4,000 BAP-certified facilities globally.